[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 232 (Friday, December 2, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 87030-87034]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-28980]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

[Case No. CW-027]


Notice of Petition for Waiver of Samsung Electronics America, 
Inc. From the Department of Energy Clothes Washer Test Procedure, and 
Grant of Interim Waiver

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of 
Energy.

ACTION: Notice of petition for waiver, notice of grant of interim 
waiver, and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces receipt of a petition for waiver from 
Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (Samsung) seeking an exemption from 
specified portions of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) test 
procedure for determining the energy consumption of residential clothes 
washers. Samsung seeks to use an alternate test procedure to address 
certain issues involved in testing one clothes washer basic model, as 
identified in its petition, with a container volume between 6.0 cubic 
feet and 8.0 cubic feet. Samsung contends the basic model cannot be 
accurately tested using the currently applicable DOE test procedure. 
DOE solicits comments, data, and information concerning Samsung's 
petition and its suggested alternate test procedure. This notice also 
grants Samsung an interim waiver from the residential clothes washer 
test procedure for the specified basic model, subject to use of the 
alternative test procedure set forth in this notice.

DATES: DOE will accept comments, data, and information with respect to 
the Samsung petition until January 3, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by Case Number CW-027, 
by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Email: [email protected]. Include ``Case No. 
CW-027'' in the subject line of the message.
     Mail: Mr. Bryan Berringer, U.S. Department of Energy, 
Building Technologies Office, Mailstop EE-5B, Petition for Waiver Case 
No. CW-027, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. 
Telephone: (202) 586-0371. If possible, please submit all items on a 
compact disc (CD), in which case it is not necessary to include printed 
copies.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Appliance and Equipment Standards 
Program, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Office, 950 
L'Enfant Plaza SW., 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20024. Telephone: (202) 
586-6636. If possible, please submit all items on a CD, in which case 
it is not necessary to include printed copies.
    Docket: The docket, which includes Federal Register notices, 
comments, and other supporting documents/materials, is available for 
review at www.regulations.gov. All documents in the docket are listed 
in the www.regulations.gov index. However, some documents listed in the 
index, such as those containing information that is exempt from public 
disclosure, may not be publicly available.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
    Mr. Bryan Berringer, U.S. Department of Energy, Building 
Technologies Program, Mail Stop EE-5B, Forrestal Building, 1000 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 
586-0371. Email: [email protected].
    Ms. Elizabeth Kohl, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the 
General Counsel, Mail Stop GC-33, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence 
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0103. Telephone: (202) 586-7796. 
Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background and Authority

    Title III, Part B \1\ of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 
1975 (EPCA), Public Law 94-163 (42 U.S.C. 6291-6309), established the 
Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other Than 
Automobiles, a program that includes the clothes washers that are the 
focus of this notice.\2\ Part B includes definitions, test procedures, 
labeling provisions, energy conservation standards, and the authority 
to require information and reports from manufacturers. Further, Part B 
authorizes the Secretary of Energy to prescribe test procedures that 
are reasonably designed to produce results that measure energy 
efficiency,

[[Page 87031]]

energy use, or estimated operating costs during a representative 
average-use cycle, and that are not unduly burdensome to conduct. (42 
U.S.C. 6293(b)(3)) The test procedure for automatic and semi-automatic 
clothes washers (both residential and commercial) is contained in 10 
CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix J2, Uniform Test Method for Measuring 
the Energy Consumption of Automatic and Semi-automatic Clothes Washers.
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    \1\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code, 
Part B was redesignated as Part A.
    \2\ All references to EPCA in this document refer to the statute 
as amended through the Energy Efficiency Improvement Act of 2015 
(EEIA), Public Law 114-11 (April 30, 2015).
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    DOE's regulations set forth at 10 CFR 430.27 contain provisions 
that allow a person to seek a waiver from the test procedure 
requirements for a particular basic model of a type of covered consumer 
product when: (1) The petitioner's basic model for which the petition 
for waiver was submitted contains one or more design characteristics 
that prevent testing according to the prescribed test procedure, or (2) 
the prescribed test procedures may evaluate the basic model in a manner 
so unrepresentative of its true energy consumption characteristics as 
to provide materially inaccurate comparative data. 10 CFR 430.27(a)(1). 
A petitioner must include in its petition any alternate test procedures 
known to the petitioner to evaluate the basic model in a manner 
representative of its energy consumption. 10 CFR 430.27(b)(1)(iii).
    DOE may grant a waiver subject to conditions, including adherence 
to alternate test procedures. 10 CFR 430.27(f)(2). As soon as 
practicable after the granting of any waiver, DOE will publish in the 
Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking to amend its 
regulations so as to eliminate any need for the continuation of such 
waiver. As soon thereafter as practicable, DOE will publish in the 
Federal Register a final rule. 10 CFR 430.27(l).
    The waiver process also allows DOE to grant an interim waiver if it 
appears likely that the petition for waiver will be granted and/or if 
DOE determines that it would be desirable for public policy reasons to 
grant immediate relief pending a determination on the petition for 
waiver. 10 CFR 430.27(e)(2). Within one year of issuance of an interim 
waiver, DOE will either: (i) Publish in the Federal Register a 
determination on the petition for waiver; or (ii) publish in the 
Federal Register a new or amended test procedure that addresses the 
issues presented in the waiver. 10 CFR 430.27(h)(1). When DOE amends 
the test procedure to address the issues presented in a waiver, the 
waiver will automatically terminate on the date on which use of that 
test procedure is required to demonstrate compliance. 10 CFR 
430.27(h)(2).

II. Petition for Waiver of Test Procedure and Application for Interim 
Waiver

    On August 24, 2016, Samsung submitted a petition for waiver from 
the DOE test procedure applicable to automatic and semi-automatic 
clothes washers set forth in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix J2. 
Samsung requested the waiver because the mass of the test load used in 
the procedure, which is based on the basket volume of the test unit, is 
currently not defined for basket sizes greater than 6.0 cubic feet. In 
its petition, Samsung seeks a waiver for a specified basic model with a 
capacity greater than 6.0 cubic feet. Table 5.1 of Appendix J2 defines 
the test load sizes used in the test procedure as linear functions of 
the basket volume. Samsung requests that DOE grant a waiver for testing 
and rating based on a revised Table 5.1.
    Samsung also requests an interim waiver from the existing DOE test 
procedure. An interim waiver may be granted if it appears likely that 
the petition for waiver will be granted, and/or if DOE determines that 
it would be desirable for public policy reasons to grant immediate 
relief pending a determination of the petition for waiver. See 10 CFR 
430.27(e)(2).
    DOE understands that absent an interim waiver, Samsung's products 
cannot be tested and rated for energy consumption on a basis 
representative of their true energy consumption characteristics. DOE 
has reviewed the alternate procedure suggested by Samsung and concludes 
that, generally, it will allow for the accurate measurement of the 
energy use of these products, while alleviating the testing problems 
associated with Samsung's implementation of clothes washer containers 
larger than 6.0 cubic feet. Consequently, DOE has determined that 
Samsung's petition for waiver will likely be granted. Furthermore, as 
explained below, DOE has granted similar waivers to Samsung and other 
manufacturers, and has determined that it is desirable for public 
policy reasons to grant Samsung immediate relief pending a 
determination of the petition for waiver.
    DOE recently granted a waiver to Whirlpool under Decision and Order 
(81 FR 26251, May 2, 2016) to allow for the testing of certain basic 
models of clothes washers with container volumes between 6.0 cubic feet 
and 8.0 cubic feet. DOE also granted a waiver to Samsung for a similar 
request under Decision and Order Samsung (76 FR 13169, Mar. 10, 2011; 
76 FR 50207, Aug. 12, 2011) to allow for the testing of certain basic 
models of clothes washers with container volumes between 3.8 cubic feet 
and 6.0 cubic feet. In addition, DOE granted waivers to LG (CW-016 (76 
FR 11233, Mar. 1, 2011), CW-018 (76 FR 21879, Apr. 19, 2011), and CW-
021 (76 FR 64330, Oct. 18, 2011); General Electric (75 FR 76968, Dec. 
10, 2010), Whirlpool (75 FR 69653, Nov. 15, 2010), and Electrolux (76 
FR 11440, Mar. 2, 2011) to allow for the testing of certain basic 
models of clothes washers with container volumes between 3.8 cubic feet 
and 6.0 cubic feet.
    The current DOE test procedure specifies test load sizes only for 
machines with capacities up to 6.0 cubic feet. (77 FR 13888, Mar. 7, 
2012; the ``March 2012 Final Rule'') For the reasons set forth in DOE's 
March 2012 Final Rule, DOE concludes that extending the linear 
relationship between test load size and container capacity to larger 
capacities is valid. In addition, testing a basic model with a capacity 
larger than 6.0 cubic feet using the current procedure could evaluate 
the basic model in a manner so unrepresentative of its true energy 
consumption as to provide materially inaccurate comparative data.
    Based on these considerations, and the waivers granted to LG, GE, 
Electrolux and Whirlpool, as well as the previous waivers granted to 
Samsung for similar requests, it appears likely that the petition for 
waiver will be granted. As a result, DOE grants an interim waiver to 
Samsung for the basic models of clothes washers with container volumes 
greater than 6.0 cubic feet specified in its petition for waiver. DOE 
also provides for the use of an alternative test procedure extending 
the linear relationship between test load size and container capacity, 
as described below.

III. Summary of Grant of Interim Waiver

    For the reasons stated above, DOE has granted Samsung's application 
for interim waiver from testing for its specified clothes washer basic 
models. The substance of DOE's Interim Waiver Order is summarized 
below.
    Samsung is required to test and rate the clothes washer basic model 
Samsung WA63M97**A* according to the alternate test procedure as set 
forth in section IV, ``Alternate Test Procedure.''
    Samsung is permitted to make representations about the energy use 
of this basic model for compliance, marketing, or other purposes only 
to the extent that such products have been tested in accordance with 
the provisions set forth in the alternate test procedure

[[Page 87032]]

and such representations fairly disclose the results of such testing in 
accordance with 10 CFR 429.20.
    DOE makes decisions on waivers and interim waivers for only those 
basic models specifically set out in the petition, not future models 
that may be manufactured by the petitioner. Samsung may request that 
DOE extend the scope of a waiver or an interim waiver to include 
additional basic models employing the same technology as the basic 
model(s) set forth in the original petition consistent with 10 CFR 
430.27(g). In addition, DOE notes that granting of an interim waiver or 
waiver does not release a petitioner from the certification 
requirements set forth at 10 CFR part 429. See also 10 CFR 430.27(a) 
and (i).
    The interim waiver shall remain in effect consistent with the 
provisions of 10 CFR 430.27(h). Furthermore, this interim waiver is 
conditioned upon the presumed validity of statements, representations, 
and documents provided by the petitioner. DOE may rescind or modify a 
waiver or interim waiver at any time upon a determination that the 
factual basis underlying the petition for waiver or interim waiver is 
incorrect, or upon a determination that the results from the alternate 
test procedure are unrepresentative of the basic model's true energy 
consumption characteristics. See 10 CFR 430.27(k).

IV. Alternate Test Procedure

    EPCA requires that manufacturers use DOE test procedures when 
making representations about the energy consumption and energy 
consumption costs of products and equipment covered by the statute. (42 
U.S.C. 6293(c); 6314(d)) Consistent representations about the energy 
efficiency of covered products and equipment are important for 
consumers evaluating products when making purchasing decisions and for 
manufacturers to demonstrate compliance with applicable DOE energy 
conservation standards. Pursuant to its regulations applicable to 
waivers and interim waivers from applicable test procedures at 10 CFR 
430.27 and after considering public comments on the petition, DOE will 
announce its decision as to an alternate test procedure for Samsung in 
a subsequent Decision and Order.
    The alternate procedure approved today is intended to allow Samsung 
to make valid representations regarding Samsung clothes washer basic 
model WA63M97**A*.
    In the alternate test procedure described below, DOE has corrected 
an error in the proposed Samsung load size table:
     For the 6.80-6.90, the average load size was not 
calculated correctly. The average load size should be the numerical 
average of the minimum and maximum load sizes. It should have been 7.05 
kg instead of 7.04 kg.
    During the period of the interim waiver granted in this notice, 
Samsung must test clothes washer basic model WA63M97**A* according to 
the provisions of 10 CFR part 430 subpart B, appendix J2, except that 
Samsung shall substitute the expanded Table 5.1 below for Table 5.1 of 
appendix J2.

                                                               Table 5.1--Test Load Sizes
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                             Container volume                                     Minimum load              Maximum load              Average load
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                        cu. ft.  >= <                          liter  >= <       lb           kg           lb           kg           lb           Kg
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0-0.80.......................................................       0-22.7         3.00         1.36         3.00         1.36         3.00         1.36
0.80-0.90....................................................    22.7-25.5         3.00         1.36         3.50         1.59         3.25         1.47
0.90-1.00....................................................    25.5-28.3         3.00         1.36         3.90         1.77         3.45         1.56
1.00-1.10....................................................    28.3-31.1         3.00         1.36         4.30         1.95         3.65         1.66
1.10-1.20....................................................    31.1-34.0         3.00         1.36         4.70         2.13         3.85         1.75
1.20-1.30....................................................    34.0-36.8         3.00         1.36         5.10         2.31         4.05         1.84
1.30-1.40....................................................    36.8-39.6         3.00         1.36         5.50         2.49         4.25         1.93
1.40-1.50....................................................    39.6-42.5         3.00         1.36         5.90         2.68         4.45         2.02
1.50-1.60....................................................    42.5-45.3         3.00         1.36         6.40         2.90         4.70         2.13
1.60-1.70....................................................    45.3-48.1         3.00         1.36         6.80         3.08         4.90         2.22
1.70-1.80....................................................    48.1-51.0         3.00         1.36         7.20         3.27         5.10         2.31
1.80-1.90....................................................    51.0-53.8         3.00         1.36         7.60         3.45         5.30         2.40
1.90-2.00....................................................    53.8-56.6         3.00         1.36         8.00         3.63         5.50         2.49
2.00-2.10....................................................    56.6-59.5         3.00         1.36         8.40         3.81         5.70         2.59
2.10-2.20....................................................    59.5-62.3         3.00         1.36         8.80         3.99         5.90         2.68
2.20-2.30....................................................    62.3-65.1         3.00         1.36         9.20         4.17         6.10         2.77
2.30-2.40....................................................    65.1-68.0         3.00         1.36         9.60         4.35         6.30         2.86
2.40-2.50....................................................    68.0-70.8         3.00         1.36        10.00         4.54         6.50         2.95
2.50-2.60....................................................    70.8-73.6         3.00         1.36        10.50         4.76         6.75         3.06
2.60-2.70....................................................    73.6-76.5         3.00         1.36        10.90         4.94         6.95         3.15
2.70-2.80....................................................    76.5-79.3         3.00         1.36        11.30         5.13         7.15         3.24
2.80-2.90....................................................    79.3-82.1         3.00         1.36        11.70         5.31         7.35         3.33
2.90-3.00....................................................    82.1-85.0         3.00         1.36        12.10         5.49         7.55         3.42
3.00-3.10....................................................    85.0-87.8         3.00         1.36        12.50         5.67         7.75         3.52
3.10-3.20....................................................    87.8-90.6         3.00         1.36        12.90         5.85         7.95         3.61
3.20-3.30....................................................    90.6-93.4         3.00         1.36        13.30         6.03         8.15         3.70
3.30-3.40....................................................    93.4-96.3         3.00         1.36        13.70         6.21         8.35         3.79
3.40-3.50....................................................    96.3-99.1         3.00         1.36        14.10         6.40         8.55         3.88
3.50-3.60....................................................   99.1-101.9         3.00         1.36        14.60         6.62         8.80         3.99
3.60-3.70....................................................  101.9-104.8         3.00         1.36        15.00         6.80         9.00         4.08
3.70-3.80....................................................  104.8-107.6         3.00         1.36        15.40         6.99         9.20         4.17
3.80-3.90....................................................  107.6-110.4         3.00         1.36        15.80         7.16         9.40         4.26
3.90-4.00....................................................  110.4-113.3         3.00         1.36        16.20         7.34         9.60         4.35
4.00-4.10....................................................  113.3-116.1         3.00         1.36        16.60         7.53         9.80         4.45
4.10-4.20....................................................  116.1-118.9         3.00         1.36        17.00         7.72        10.00         4.54
4.20-4.30....................................................  118.9-121.8         3.00         1.36        17.40         7.90        10.20         4.63
4.30-4.40....................................................  121.8-124.6         3.00         1.36        17.80         8.09        10.40         4.72

[[Page 87033]]

 
4.40-4.50....................................................  124.6-127.4         3.00         1.36        18.20         8.27        10.60         4.82
4.50-4.60....................................................  127.4-130.3         3.00         1.36        18.70         8.46        10.85         4.91
4.60-4.70....................................................  130.3-133.1         3.00         1.36        19.10         8.65        11.05         5.00
4.70-4.80....................................................  133.1-135.9         3.00         1.36        19.50         8.83        11.25         5.10
4.80-4.90....................................................  135.9-138.8         3.00         1.36        19.90         9.02        11.45         5.19
4.90-5.00....................................................  138.8-141.6         3.00         1.36        20.30         9.20        11.65         5.28
5.00-5.10....................................................  141.6-144.4         3.00         1.36        20.70         9.39        11.85         5.38
5.10-5.20....................................................  144.4-147.2         3.00         1.36        21.10         9.58        12.05         5.47
5.20-5.30....................................................  147.2-150.1         3.00         1.36        21.50         9.76        12.25         5.56
5.30-5.40....................................................  150.1-152.9         3.00         1.36        21.90         9.95        12.45         5.65
5.40-5.50....................................................  152.9-155.7         3.00         1.36        22.30        10.13        12.65         5.75
5.50-5.60....................................................  155.7-158.6         3.00         1.36        22.80        10.32        12.90         5.84
5.60-5.70....................................................  158.6-161.4         3.00         1.36        23.20        10.51        13.10         5.93
5.70-5.80....................................................  161.4-164.2         3.00         1.36        23.60        10.69        13.30         6.03
5.80-5.90....................................................  164.2-167.1         3.00         1.36        24.00        10.88        13.50         6.12
5.90-6.00....................................................  167.1-169.9         3.00         1.36        24.40        11.06        13.70         6.21
6.00-6.10....................................................  169.9-172.7         3.00         1.36        24.80        11.25        13.90         6.30
6.10-6.20....................................................  172.7-175.6         3.00         1.36        25.20        11.43        14.10         6.40
6.20-6.30....................................................  175.6-178.4         3.00         1.36        25.60        11.61        14.30         6.49
6.30-6.40....................................................  178.4-181.2         3.00         1.36        26.00        11.79        14.50         6.58
6.40-6.50....................................................  181.2-184.1         3.00         1.36        26.40        11.97        14.70         6.67
6.50-6.60....................................................  184.1-186.9         3.00         1.36        26.90        12.20        14.95         6.78
6.60-6.70....................................................  186.9-189.7         3.00         1.36        27.30        12.38        15.15         6.87
6.70-6.80....................................................  189.7-192.6         3.00         1.36        27.70        12.56        15.35         6.96
6.80-6.90....................................................  192.6-195.4         3.00         1.36        28.10        12.75        15.55         7.05
6.90-7.00....................................................  195.4-198.2         3.00         1.36        28.50        12.93        15.75         7.14
7.00-7.10....................................................  198.2-201.0         3.00         1.36        28.90        13.11        15.95         7.23
7.10-7.20....................................................  201.0-203.9         3.00         1.36        29.30        13.29        16.15         7.33
7.20-7.30....................................................  203.9-206.7         3.00         1.36        29.70        13.47        16.35         7.42
7.30-7.40....................................................  206.7-209.5         3.00         1.36        30.10        13.65        16.55         7.51
7.40-7.50....................................................  209.5-212.4         3.00         1.36        30.60        13.88        16.80         7.62
7.50-7.60....................................................  212.4-215.2         3.00         1.36        31.00        14.06        17.00         7.71
7.60-7.70....................................................  215.2-218.0         3.00         1.36        31.40        14.24        17.20         7.80
7.70-7.80....................................................  218.0-220.9         3.00         1.36        31.80        14.42        17.40         7.89
7.80-7.90....................................................  220.9-223.7         3.00         1.36        32.20        14.61        17.60         7.98
7.90-8.00....................................................  223.7-226.5         3.00         1.36        32.60        14.79        17.80         8.07
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

V. Summary and Request for Comments

    Through this notice, DOE grants Samsung an interim waiver from the 
specified portions of the test procedure applicable to clothes washer 
basic model WA63M97**A*. and announces receipt of Samsung's petition 
for waiver from those same portions of the test procedure. DOE is 
publishing Samsung's petition for waiver pursuant to 10 CFR 
430.27(b)(1)(iv). The petition contains no confidential information. 
The petition includes a suggested alternate test procedure to determine 
the energy consumption of clothes washer basic model WA63M97**A*. DOE 
is considering including the corrected alternate procedure in its 
subsequent Decision and Order.
    DOE solicits comments from interested parties on all aspects of the 
petition, including the suggested alternate test procedure and 
calculation methodology. Pursuant to 10 CFR 430.27(d), any person 
submitting written comments to DOE must also send a copy of such 
comments to the petitioner. The contact information for the petitioner 
is Jenni Chun, Regulatory & Environmental Affairs Manager, Samsung 
Electronics America, Inc., QA Lab America. 19 Chapin Rd. Building D, 
Pine Brook, NJ 07058. All comment submissions to DOE must include the 
Case Number CW-027 for this proceeding. Submit electronic comments in 
Microsoft Word, Portable Document Format (PDF), or text (American 
Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII)) file format and 
avoid the use of special characters or any form of encryption. Wherever 
possible, include the electronic signature of the author. DOE does not 
accept telefacsimiles (faxes).

    Issued in Washington, DC, on November 22, 2016.
Kathleen Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy.
Samsung Electronics America, Inc.
QA Lab America
19 Chapin Rd. Building D
Pine Brook, NJ 07058

August 24, 2016

The Honorable David Friedman
Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
United States Department of Energy
Forrestal Building (Mail Station EE-1)
1000 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585

Dear Assistant Secretary Friedman:

    Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (``Samsung'') respectfully 
submits the Application for Petition for Waiver and Application for 
Interim Waiver to the Department of Energy (``DOE'' or ``the 
Department'') regards to Samsung's residential clothes washers with 
a capacity over 6.0 cubic feet.

Reasoning

    The 10 CFR 431.401(a)(1) allows a person to submit a petition to 
waive for a particular basic model any requirements of Sec.  430.23 
upon the grounds that the basic model contains one or more design 
characteristics which either prevent testing of the basic model 
according to the prescribed test procedures, or the prescribed test 
procedures may evaluate the basic model in a manner so 
unrepresentative of its true energy

[[Page 87034]]

consumption characteristics as to provide materially inaccurate 
comparative data. Additionally, 10 CFR part 430.27(b)(2) allows an 
applicant to request an Interim Waiver if economic hardship and/or 
competitive disadvantage is likely to result absent a favorable 
determination on the Application for Interim Waiver.
    The current test procedure, Appendix J2 to Subpart B of Part 430 
(``Appendix J2'') Table 5.1, does not contain load sizes for 
capacities greater than 6.0 cubic feet, preventing Samsung from 
appropriately testing the clothes washer models with capacity 
greater than 6.0 cubic feet. The Department previously granted a 
similar waiver to Whirlpool (75 FR 69653, Nov. 15, 2010 and 81 FR 
26251, May 2, 2016).
    Samsung also proposes an alternative procedure by extending the 
linear relationship between test load sizes and container volume in 
Table 5.1, as the following load size table for clothes washer with 
capacity between 6.0 cubic feet and 8.0 cubic feet:

                                                         Table 5.0--Test Load Sizes--Supplement
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             Container volume                                     Minimum load              Maximum load              Average load
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         cu. ft. >= <                           liter >= <       lb           kg           lb           kg           lb           kg
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.00-6.10....................................................  169.9-172.7         3.00         1.36        24.80        11.25        13.90         6.30
6.10-6.20....................................................  172.7-175.6         3.00         1.36        25.20        11.43        14.10         6.40
6.20-6.30....................................................  175.6-178.4         3.00         1.36        25.60        11.61        14.30         6.49
6.30-6.40....................................................  178.4-181.2         3.00         1.36        26.00        11.79        14.50         6.58
6.40-6.50....................................................  181.2-184.1         3.00         1.36        26.40        11.97        14.70         6.67
6.50-6.60....................................................  184.1-186.9         3.00         1.36        26.90        12.20        14.95         6.78
6.60-6.70....................................................  186.9-189.7         3.00         1.36        27.30        12.38        15.15         6.87
6.70-6.80....................................................  189.7-192.6         3.00         1.36        27.70        12.56        15.35         6.96
6.80-6.90....................................................  192.6-195.4         3.00         1.36        28.10        12.75        15.55         7.04
6.90-7.00....................................................  195.4-198.2         3.00         1.36        28.50        12.93        15.75         7.14
7.00-7.10....................................................  198.2-201.0         3.00         1.36        28.90        13.11        15.95         7.23
7.10-7.20....................................................  201.0-203.9         3.00         1.36        29.30        13.29        16.15         7.33
7.20-7.30....................................................  203.9-206.7         3.00         1.36        29.70        13.47        16.35         7.42
7.30-7.40....................................................  206.7-209.5         3.00         1.36        30.10        13.65        16.55         7.51
7.40-7.50....................................................  209.5-212.4         3.00         1.36        30.60        13.88        16.80         7.62
7.50-7.60....................................................  212.4-215.2         3.00         1.36        31.00        14.06        17.00         7.71
7.60-7.70....................................................  215.2-218.0         3.00         1.36        31.40        14.24        17.20         7.80
7.70-7.80....................................................  218.0-220.9         3.00         1.36        31.80        14.42        17.40         7.89
7.80-7.90....................................................  220.9-223.7         3.00         1.36        32.20        14.61        17.60         7.98
7.90-8.00....................................................  223.7-226.5         3.00         1.36        32.60        14.79        17.80         8.07
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Conclusion

    In summary, Samsung respectfully requests to grant Samsung a 
Waiver and Interim Waiver to use the alternate expanded Table 5.1 of 
Appendix J2 that appears in DOE's clothes washer test procedure NOPR 
(79 FR 23061, April 25, 2014). Samsung is seeking the Department to 
grant a Waiver and Interim waiver for Samsung clothes washer basic 
model WA63M97**A*:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Brand                   Model name         Capacity load           Type               Reason
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Samsung.........................  WA63M97**A*.......  6.3 cu. ft........  Top Load..........  Over 6.0 cu. ft.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions 
regarding this Petition for Waiver and Application for Interim 
Waiver. I will be happy to discuss should any questions arise.

    Sincerely,

Jenni Chun,

Regulatory & Environmental Affairs Manager.

[FR Doc. 2016-28980 Filed 12-1-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6450-01-P